Systematic Studies on Building the High Output Thermoelectric Power Generation

Abstract

Abstract:Authors report a systematic approach in research and development of alternative energy with a focus on thermoelectric (TE) generation. This approach has improved the thermoelectric modules (TEM) and thermoelectric power generator (TEPG) system in the key specification. In particular, they have investigated the details of the TE technology, constructed TEM, and built TEPG in order to achieve large power output and high efficiency. Experimental studies of the in situ characterization station for the thermoelectric module (ICSTEM) discover that the multi stack TEM has significantly improved the efficiency of a system by employing suitable and commensurate TE materials. The ICSTEM is invented to establish precisely a true TEM performance. Typical electrical response curves are studied in terms of IV curve and PV curve. This article has also characterized the output power as a function of the force factor setting and of its demonstrated response curve. Moreover, by connecting various TE prototypes, the total power output shows the scalability by simple superposition. Finally, authors demonstrate the TE device manufacture by the different approaches of advanced manufacturing technologies and explore ways of advanced manufacturing processes.